Advances in integrated digital microfluidic platforms for point-of-care diagnosis: a review

Abstract

This work highlights recent advancements in the integration of analytical tools into DMF devices, and discusses the current challenges and potential solutions as well as future outlooks for an automated, integrative platform for POC applications.

Robotic digital microfluidics: a droplet-based total analysis system

“…5–7 Reduced duration and cost of the tests due to utilizing lower amounts of samples and reagents idealize these devices for point-of-care technologies. 8–10…”

“…[5][6][7] Reduced duration and cost of the tests due to utilizing lower amounts of samples and reagents idealize these devices for point-of-care technologies. [8][9][10] Among several types of microfluidic platforms and liquid handling strategies, digital microfluidics (DMF) is an ideal choice to carry out (bio)chemical reactions in a single liquid droplet. Generation and extreme control over the discrete liquid droplets in sub-microliter volumes are the characteristics of this technology.…”

Development of a Microfluidic Chip Powered by EWOD for In Vitro Manipulation of Bovine Embryos

“…The portability of EWOD devices is promising for the development of point of care diagnostics [ 53 ]. These microdevices can be equipped with components allowing for the control of pH or temperature, as well as detection of electrochemical, optical, and electrical signals [ 58 ]. Moreover, incorporation of hydrogels can be used for vertical transport of fluids [ 59 ], while on-chip gelation provides a platform for three-dimensional adherent cell culture [ 60 ].…”

Low-cost Polyurethane Coating as Dielectric Component in Digital Microfluidics

“…Digital microfluidics (DMF) manipulates multiple individual droplets to move, mix, merge, and split on a surface using electrowetting-on-dielectric (EWOD) mechanism to perform specific functions such as sample preparation, DNA amplification and immunoassays [1]- [3] in a lab-on-a-chip platform. The volume of droplet required in a DMF device is in the microliter range, resulting in reduced consumption of sample and reagents and fast results.…”

“…An EWOD device typically consists of a base plate composed of a substrate patterned with control electrodes. These electrodes are buried underneath a layer of dielectric material which generates electric fields when a voltage is applied across the dielectric layer [1]- [7].…”